The Big Sandy Mountaineer -

Calista Worrall is heading up the Big Sandy fifth Grade of some 13 students this year.

This is her first year in Big Sandy although she has taught in Fort Benton and Box Elder.

Calista is from Missouri and got her training from Missouri Southern State College in Elementary Education. It was there she met her husband who is from Loma, so it was off to Montana and off to a new life.

Before teaching this year at Big Sandy, Calista taught for four years in Box Elder and was an RTI aide in Fort Benton.

Calista loves the fifth grade students she is with each day.

"The best thing about this fifth grade class is that they are independent but they still have a desire to learn," said Calista.

Even more interesting this year's fifth grade has really taken to math in the classroom, even more than reading.

Calista is very proud of this particular fifth grade class because with some help from the community, they were able to procure four new computers for their classroom already this year.

The question just simply had to be asked. After working at three schools very close together, which was the best?

There was no hesitation as Calista answered, saying, "I would have to rate Big Sandy very high because here the main focus, more than the other two, that main focus here is the kids. And we get a lot of community support. That support is the greatest I have seen."

Calista went on to say that she brought three kids into the system and that all of them have felt very welcomed each day. Calista's kids are Jaycee in the sixth grade, Alex in the fourth grade and Lyndee in the first grade.

There is a sign in Calista's classroom that says, "Why fit in when you were born to stand out."

Responding to that sign, Calista said, "I hit that hard. I think it is important that the class finds itself and finds its confidence. That should happen a little more each year."

She went on to say that maybe not everyone should have to play sports and we all don't have to sing well.

Calista smiled when she said, "It is a great school and a great bunch of kids. We are having fun. It has been a great year."